liftinglifting operationsoperations

Essential Principles for Lifting & Hoisting Operations

Planning Control Competence Equipment Inspection, maintenance and certification Load integrity and stability

Planning

A lift plan is required for every lift. If the lift deviates from the plan, make safe and stop the job.

Hazard identification and risk assessment are an integral part of planning a lift.

An assessment of the lift and determination of the lift method, equipment and number of people required are critical to planning of the lift.

Control

One person in the lift team shall be designated as the person in charge of the lifting operation (referred to as PIC)

The PIC shall review the lift plan and ensure that the required controls are in place and the lift is carried out following the plan

The PIC ensures that the lift team has tested and understood visual or radio communications prior to the lift

All personnel involved in the lifting operation shall have their individual responsibilities clearly allocated

All people shall be kept clear of overhead loads and areas of potential impact

Manual load handling shall not be used to stop a swinging load and shall only be performed below shoulder height

Competence

All persons involved in planning/performing lifting and maintaining lifting equipment shall be trained and competent for their role.

Refresher training and periodic assessment is necessary to assure competence.

The competent person must inspect all machinery and equipment prior to each use, and during use, to make sure it is in safe operating condition.

If it needs fixing, take it out of service and don’t use it until it is fixed

BrokenTrack

Equipment

Equipment shall be fit for its intended purpose and operating conditions and shall be designed to a recognized standard

Equipment shall be fitted with appropriate safety devices Any safety devices installed on lifting equipment shall be operational

and not over-ridden

Specific equipment issues1. The appropriate load-radius chart for the lifting appliance

configuration in use shall be visible to the operator 2. All engineered lifting points shall be certified 3. Suspension points for sheaves in winch systems shall be

rated to withstand the maximum credible winch pull 4. Hook selection shall minimize the possibility of fouling

Inspection, maintenance and certification

Equipment integrity shall be maintained, supported by an equipment register Lifting devices and equipment shall undergo detailed/thorough examination by

a competent person at least every 12 months, and at least every 6 months for equipment used to lift people.

All lifting devices and equipment shall be visually examined before use.

What to Inspect?Correct air pressure and no leaksTires properly inflatedClearance for tail swingWire rope wearPhysical damage to craneLoose or missing hardware, nuts, or boltsFluid leaks

Crane wasn’t inspectedand tipped over

Load integrity and stability

Load shall not exceed • dynamic and/or static capacities of the lifting equipment

The integrity and stability of loads shall be verified before lifting

Load Capacity - Speed – WarningsMake sure the crane operator can see the:

Rated Load Capacities Operating Speeds Special Hazard Warning or Instruction Know the Weight of the Load

Refer to shipping ticket or other documentationEnsure lift calculations are correctEnsure load is within load chart rating for boom length and load radius of craneCrane is rated by the maximum weight it will lift at a minimum radius and minimum boom length – the further from its center point, the less it will lift

Load integrity and stability (continued)

Load Limiting Factors

Not level WindSide loadsOn its wheelsLifting over the sideUse of extensions, jibs and other attachmentsLimits of wire rope, slings and lifting devices Improper loads or speeds can result

in the tipping of the crane

SOME INCIDENTS DUE TO IMPROPER LOAD CALCULATIONS

Reflections, and any questions……….